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As the season comes to a close, we’ve got one more opportunity to cash in for the 2018 season. For the Super Bowl, DraftKings is going with their showdown formats only. It replaces designated position slots with five flex spots where you can play any player or defense of your choosing and one Captain slot where the player you choose carries a higher salary than the other slots but tallies 1.5 times their fantasy output.

Before I get into the lineup, I’d like to thank everyone who’s supported me this season as I’ve ventured into the daily fantasy world. It’s been very much appreciated. The content won’t stop here though, I’ll be providing a wide range of offseason content to get you prepared for 2019.

On to the lineup…

Captain: Todd Gurley

This game is screaming for a return of workhorse usage for Gurley. The Patriots have been a shutdown run defense over the last month but are bottom 10 in every RB pass game metric. As good as C.J. Anderson has been, I don’t know if they can rest their championship odds on banging him between the tackles. Game script probably won’t allow for an abundance of it anyway.

So, my strange hot take is Gurley takes the reigns back and gobbles up 25 + touches, giving him Super Bowl MVP upside.

DraftKings salary: 13,500

Flex: Tom Brady

In November and December, Brady had moments where he seemed close to losing the proverbial battle with father time but he got with his old coach and got a tune up and has been sharp since. The Rams’ improving run D plus the magnitude of the game will probably swing volume more in his favor in this one but I won’t get too trivial here…It’s Tom Brady, it’s the Super Bowl. He averages 322 passing yards per game compared to 262 in the regular season. He also sports an 18-5 TD to interception ratio. Play TB in big games.

DraftKings salary: 10,600

Flex: Julian Edelman

The Rams actually defend the slot really well and have a tough and talented slot corner in Nickell Robey-Coleman. I don’t care…I’m not going against the precision of the Patriots’ short passing game and the volume that Edelman receives. He’s now had at least 10 targets in six of the last seven games. With Rob Gronkowski no longer being the force he once was, the Patriots passing game revolves around Edelman.

DraftKings salary: 10,800

Flex: James White

I know the matchup isn’t great. The Rams give up the 5th fewest receiving yards per game to opposing RBs but I’m crafting this lineup with the prediction that this game spills over its current point projections. Much like with Edelman, White is a staple of the Patriots short passing game and I’m comfortable betting on their scheme overcoming the matchup. In two Super Bowls, White has 29 total touches and four TDs.

DraftKings salary: 7,200

Flex: Josh Reynolds

This is a bet that the Patriots defensive game plan will funnel targets in the direction of Reynolds. Conventional wisdom has the Patriots putting stud corner Stephon Gilmore on chain mover Robert Woods than doubling the field-stretching Brandin Cooks, leaving Reynolds to get one on ones versus the likes of JC Jackson and/or Jason McCourty. While they haven’t been slouches by any stretch, volume is king. If we can get seven or so targets at the price point for a player as talented as Reynolds, it’s a worthwhile bet to make.

DraftKings salary: 5,400

Flex: Gerald Everett

For similar reasoning to the Reynolds play, I like Everett in this matchup. The Patriots will try to force you to lean on your bit players and live with the results. Everett fits into that category, but has feature player talent and will a difficult cover for the Pats linebackers. He ran 28 routes in the NFC Championship, one short of a season-high for him. If he can get similar opportunity this is a no-brainer play at his price.

DraftKings salary: 2,000

Good luck!

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About Carey Stevenson

Carey is a driven sports enthusiast from Norfolk, Virginia. He's looked upon by all his friends and family as an advisor, provider of on the spot scouting reports and the occasional dusting off of the old crystal ball. He is a loyal and devoted Ravens fan that spends countless hours in his war room/bedroom going over tape, scouting reports and potential free agents as if he's actually the one making draft and game day decisions. He's a sports management major that looks forward to the day that he may actually be called upon to make some of the decisions he analyzes as if life depended on it. He is a critical yet rational thinker that is always in search of more knowledge about the game. More from Carey Stevenson

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Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Word on The Street - In the spirit of the CBS Sports Minute with Boomer Esiason, RSR brings you Word on The Street, a 90 second (or less) podcast on topics exclusively relating to the Baltimore Ravens.

Ravens Links - We’ll give you the best stories about the Ravens from around the web three times per week.

The Fanimal - If you are an animal about the Baltimore Ravens, then you are a Fanimal! Follow the Russell Street Report blog Fanimal Crackers!

The Edgar Awards - The Edgar Awards will range from the Maryland county that is home to the best Ravens fans to the best Ravens podcast; from the best collection of displaced fans to the best local craft brews that should be part of your next tailgating party.

The Road to RSR - Our writers explains their journeys as fans and how they came to write for our little corner of sports media.